Survey area during Week 1.

The Department of Antiquities, in order to stop the illicit looting and damage of archaeological sites surrounding the World Heritage site of Cyrene, has created a new outreach project: “Heritage Awareness of All.” This successful new program, in collaboration with the Tourist Police and Antiquities Protection Authority, is teaching the local community on the importance of protecting their cultural heritage.

This successful new program is teaching the local community on the importance of protecting their cultural heritage. Outreach activities are taking place in cities in the Cyrenaica.  The first in this new series was held in Derna on 24 June 2021 at the Future Nursery and Primary School and attended by over 40 children.

Outreach event at Derna (June 24, 2021).

Another important aspect of this outreach work is the collaborative investigation and documentation of damaged or at-risk sites in the area around Cyrene by members of the Department of Antiquities and archaeologists from the region’s universities.

The current damage and assessment work is concentrating on an area to the south between Cyrene and al Gubbah/Lamluda. This area (approximately 30 km x 5 km) contains many isolated sites that need to be documented and assessed for damage. These sites are being documented via GIS mapping and photogrammetry recordings. The data recorded will be placed into a GIS database to be used for future monitoring.

Some of the team members surveying Alwet al-Qubowa

Saniet Admina

In addition to the assessment survey work, landowners and residents in the area will be invited to participate in discussions on how they can help to protect the cultural heritage in their area.

As shown in the map below, during the first week of the ground survey which began on Saturday, 26-6-2021, the team was able to re-document and evaluate the status of nine major sites and a number of sub-sites in the area between Wadi Al-Zinadi and Ablakhna.

The sites visited are varied from fortified farms associated with agricultural and industrial features such as dams, cisterns, water channels, etc., to tombs, towers and rock-cut chambers dating back to different periods from Greek, Roman, Byzantine up to the Italian period.

The vast majority of those sites have been damaged and under threat from different factors. From the development of all kinds, from new roads, water pipelines, new farms and field systems, the building of new houses and holiday houses as well as problems with looting and vandalism. Grazing, vegetation, and uncontrolled visits to these sites are also other factors that causing damage and disturbance to them.

Read Every Weekly Update of ASOR’s Cyrene Cultural Heritage Survey

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4